[2017-10-25] Announcement:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ms Marina Hatsopoulos will not be able to travel to Cyprus for the Forum. Consequently,
she will not participate in the panel of judges of the pitching competition during the Forum.

[2017-10-06] Workshop on October 23:
"Product-Market Fit: Identifying if the market is ready for you".
More information
here.

PARTNERS

ORGANIZERS

SUPPORTERS

SPONSORS

CONTRIBUTORS

Centre for Entrepreneurship

The mission of the
Centre for Entrepreneurship (C4E) of the University of Cyprus is threefold: (a) to foster a culture of innovative
entrepreneurship within the University (b) to provide the University community with high-quality services and the
connections required to bring scientific innovations and novel ideas produced inside the University to global marketplaces,
and (c) to contribute to the creation of a sustainable innovation ecosystem in Cyprus.

The Hellenic Initiative

The Hellenic Initiative (THI) is a global, non-profit, non-governmental secular institution whose vision, through
the generosity of the Greek Diaspora and Philhellene community, is to provide critical pragmatic encouragement and
financial support to sustain organizations and programs that inspire business development to empower the Greek people
to strengthen their Nation’s long term prosperity. The Hellenic Initiative (THI) organizes its Annual Venture Fair
in Athens, a successful networking and pitching event, that showcases promising Greek startups to the Greek and international
investment community. The Venture Fair is one THI’s efforts in Greece focused on bringing growth and seed capital
to the country.

MIT Enterprise Forum Greece

MITEF Greece’s vision is to build a better world by accelerating the creation and growth of world-class technology
companies.
MIT Enterprise Forum’s mission is to inform, connect, and coach technology entrepreneurs enabling them to rapidly
transform ideas into world-changing companies. It is a global network of local organizations, inspired by MIT and
open to the world. To achieve its mission MITEF Greece runs a series of programs for technology entrepreneurs and
investors that include international conferences, networking events, mentoring, workshops and accelerating competitions.

PWC

PwC supports the establishment of the Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute of the University of
Cyprus. As part of the agreement, the Centre for Entrepreneurship (C4E) organizes on an annual basis the Innovation
and Entrepreneurship Forum. Moreover, PwC supports various activities of the C4E e.g. the Training and Education activities
and the Mentoring support service towards the members of the University Community.

INVITED KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

RESEARCH CAPACITY TRACK

COMPETITION TRACK TEAMS

C4E is happy to announce the 10 teams who have been selected to participate in the Final Pitching Competition of the 3
rd Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (IEF2017) to take place on the 28
th November at the University of Cyprus.

The following teams were selected among a total of 30 who applied to the Competition Call of the IEF2017:

The IEF2017 attracted 30 very worthy applications from Cypriot start-ups based in Cyprus, the UK, Dubai and Greece. Of the
30 applications received, 10 were from the academic research communities of Cyprus and 20 from the Cyprus start-up
community.

Participating teams needed to satisfy a number of criteria in order to be eligible to participate in the Competition Track
of the IEF2017. In particular, participating teams had to be companies incorporated in Cyprus or, if not incorporated
in Cyprus, more than 50% of the founding members should have been Cypriot nationals. Each team had to have a minimum
of two members and team members had to be at least 18 years old.

The ten finalists will compete for awards, both monetary and non-monetary. See the
Prizes section for more details on the Competition Prizes.

PANEL OF JUDGES

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

HONORARY CHAIRS

Marina Hatsopoulos, Levitronix Technologies

Yiannis Monovoukas, Helios Global Investments LLC

GENERAL CO-CHAIRS

Marios D. Dikaiakos, University of Cyprus

Michael Printzos, THI

George Saveriades, Olitech Ltd

MEMBERS

Program Chair: Maria Markidou Georgiadou, University of Cyprus

Competition Track Chair: Katerina Saridaki, MITEF Greece

Student Track Chair: George Kassinis, University of Cyprus

Research Capacity Track Chair: Theodosis Trypiniotis, University of Cyprus

Local Arrangements Chair: Elena Tanou, Top Kinisis

Communications and Outreach Chair: Ioanna Tsioutsioumi, University of Cyprus

Web Site: Andreas Andreou, University of Cyprus

PARTICIPATION

Participation to the Forum is open to teams consisting of faculty, researchers and doctoral candidates from universities
and research institutes in Cyprus. Cypriot startups, in Cyprus and abroad, are also eligible to apply to the Competition
Track described below. Students, from all Universities in Cyprus, with innovative ideas are eligible to apply for participation
in a Student Track.

Competition Track Selection Criteria: Applications to the Competition Track will be selected based on a number
of criteria, the main ones being innovation and competitive advantage, technological readiness and potential for
scalability. For more information, visit
Competition Track page.
Please check
Terms & Conditions for participation.

Research Track Selection Criteria: Applications for the Research Track will be selected based on maturity of
work and commercial potential. Particular attention will be given to the scientific basis of the work. Applications
that showcase the capabilities of research laboratories (e.g. specific equipment, unique know-how, etc) are encouraged.
For more information, visit
Research Capacity Track page.
Please check
Terms & Conditions for participation.

Training: Applicants to the Competition Track and Research Track, will have the opportunity to receive training
and mentoring before the Forum to better prepare their business case and presentations/pitches. To this end, training
workshops featuring world-class trainers will be hosted by the Centre for Entrepreneurship on: Design Thinking, Business
Modeling, Pitching, Introduction to Financial Principles, Incorporating a company in Cyprus, and the Intellectual
Property regime of Cyprus.

Evaluation: All applications to the Competition and Research Tracks will be evaluated by a committee of top level
international business executives, including innovation experts, angel investors, venture capitalists, successful
entrepreneurs from Cyprus and abroad, representatives of The Hellenic Initiative (THI) and the MIT Enterprise Forum
Greece.

Student Track Selection Criteria: Applications to the Student Track will be based on novelty, scientific or technical
merit, presentation quality, and potential for business or social impact. For more information, visit
Student Track page.
Please check
Terms & Conditions for participation.

The Forum consists of four tracks:

PRIZES

Competition Track: The panel of judges will select the best three cases presented in the Competition track. The
winning teams will win prizes and in-kind services offered by the organizers as well as other corporate supporters.
In particular:

MIT Enterprise Forum Greece ( MITEF Greece), the Greek Chapter of the global MIT Enterprise Forum, will offer to the best
participating team free participation of at least one (1) member of the winning team in a three-month business skills
accelerator program offered by MITEF Greece in Athens, to the semi-finalists of the annual MITEF Greece Startup Competition,
as well as a placement to the semi-final round of the MITEF Greece competition. The travelling and other expenses
related to the participation of at least two (2) members of the winning team to the 3 month Accelerator programme
of MIT Enterprise Forum Greece will be covered by the monetary prize of $8,000 offered by THI.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers will offer as prize to the 3 winning Participants four days of exclusive training on business strategy,
costing and budgeting, key financial principles, people management and presentation skills.

Student Track: The panel of judges for the Student Track will select the best three (3) cases presented in the
Track. The winning teams will win prizes and in-kind services offered by the organizers as well as other corporate
supporters. In particular:

C4E prizes: A maximum of 4 individual scholarships will be offered to University students to cover all expenses
of attending the 2018 European Innovation Academy Summer program.

PWC prize: Access to 4 days of intensive, exclusive training offered by PWC Cyprus on business strategy, costing
and budgeting, key financial principles, people management and presentation skills.

FAQ

Q: I am working on a new idea for a product but my company was registered 5 years ago. Can I still apply to the Competition
Track?
A: Yes. What is important is that the idea you wish to present is new and has not received substantial funding
or reached the market.

Q: Members of our team live abroad and cannot travel to Cyprus for the Forum. Do we have to be all present at the Forum
and the trainings?A: No. At least one member of your team needs to be there, however, to present your pitch.

Q: There are some things I would like to clarify regarding the application process. Who should I contact?A: Please email the Centre for Entrepreneurship at
c4e@ucy.ac.cy or call
+357-22895111

Q: Is the Research Track only for members of the University of Cyprus?A: Definitely not. We welcome participation from all Cypriot academic and research organisations, as well as from
Cypriots living abroad. What is more important is to have ideas/results with a potential for exploitation, and you
have thought what this might be.

Q: My team is working on a social entrepreneurship product. Is this of interest to the Forum?A: Definitely yes, if it has innovative aspects.

Q: What is the purpose of the Networking Track?A: It is some time that we reserve during the Forum, so that participants of the other tracks have the opportunity
to meet in person and discuss with invited guests and competition judges.

Q: I am afraid that if I present to the Forum, my idea may be exposed to competitors. How can I protect my intellectual
property?
A: Prior to submitting your Application, your are encouraged to take necessary steps to ensure adequate protection
of any intellectual property contained in the Application (including intellectual property filings, patent and copyright
notices). If no such steps are undertaken or you are in the process of obtaining protection then we encouraged to include
only non-confidential information in your Application. If you need some help on how to do this, let us know!

Q: Will the participants be offered any training prior to the day of the FORUM?A: Yes. Both the participants of the Competition Track as well as the participants of the Research Track will receive
free training on Design Thinking, Business Canvas Model, Pitching, Business Financial Principles and Intellectual Property
issues by experienced trainers from Olin College of Engineering (Boston), ALBA (Athens) and PWC Cyprus. Details on
the training to be offered may be found on the
C4E Website.

Q: Is it an Open Event?A: People will be able to attend the Competition, Research and Networking tracks only by invitation. However, the
Panel discussion in the afternoon will be open.

Q: When will you announce the Agenda of the 28
th November?A: First week of November

Q: Is it mandatory to have revenues in order to be eligible to the Competition Track?A: No, it is not necessary to have revenues.

Q: What is the minimum team size required in order to be eligible to the Competition Track?A: A team of at least 2 co-founders is required, over 18 years old.

Q: In addition to members from The Hellenic Initiative, who will be the other guests at the FORUM?A: Investors and Business angels from abroad and Cyprus, and innovation leaders from the USA, China and Europe.

Q: If a start-up does not have a prototype, can it participate in the Competition Track?A: No. Having a first prototype is a necessary eligibility criterion.

Q: What do I need to take into consideration for presenting my start-up at the Forum?A: There is a dedicated page with instruction for the participants of the Competition Track, available
here.

Q: What do I need to take into consideration for presenting my research project at the Forum?A: There is a dedicated page with instruction for the participants of the Research Capacity Exhibition, available
here.

CONTACT US

Networking Track

The
Networking Track, which will provide an ideal opportunity to Cypriot research teams and Cypriot startups to network
with people from the innovation, technology transfer and investor communities of North America, Europe, and Asia.